Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo Review

Hourglass recently launched a 20 strong shade line up of their newest lip addition, the GIRL Lip Stylo. Backed by a sassy, female empowerment campaign, each shade represents an admirable trait. The shade selection is wide yet maintains conventionality. From light, warm nudes right the way through to a deep, vampy plum.

Initially I did a bit of a double take when I spotted the GIRL Lip Stylos as they look suspiciously a lot like the brand’s existing La Femme Nude collection. Same chubby stick styling, same packing, all that was different was the colour range and the name. Upon closer inspection, the new GIRL Lip Stylo range is said to be a ‘formula blends modern colour with luxurious hydration for a lustrous finish’ created with ‘a hydrating blend of shea butter, jojoba, mimosa and sunflower seed’. The original La Femme Nude on the other hand is more about full coverage colour with a satin finish (not to sure about the ingredients though).

I picked up two, nude (of course) shades: Peacemaker, described as a peachy nude but I happen to find that it veers more on the side of a warm pink, and Futurist (worn in this video), described as a mauve nude but I’d definitely say that this is more of a peachy, brown nude.

Swatches L-R: Peacemaker and Futurist.

The retractable stylo with it’s precision tip should allow you to ‘draw’ onto the lips rather easily yet I’m not quite sure how I feel about it still. I think I prefer the tradition bullet style, flat, slanted edge tip which works better and much quicker to apply on my fuller lips. Perhaps the stylo is more ideal for those who don’t have such a full pout. Whilst it acts like a crayon, no sharpening is required because as mentioned, it is retractable. I do wonder what will happen when the tip becomes blunt after more usage though. I think it may just lose a tad bit of it’s ‘precision’.

The formula glides on effortlessly and immediately you appreciate the balmy shea butter texture on your lips. It feels genuinely moisturising rather than superficially hydrating (Vaseline, I’m looking at you). Whilst it acts like a balm, it doesn’t suffer from too much slipiness as some balms are guilty of not does it gather. The coverage is semi opaque and can be built up very easily if you’re after full on colour. The finish is natural with a subtle sheen. Obviously with such a formula, it’s not going to stick around for hours on end but then again it doesn’t claim to. I reckon it would last around 3, possibly 4 hours tops, if I were to go nil by mouth but there isn’t an hour in the day that goes by when I am not eating or drinking something (probably why I have piled on the pounds of late).

Having tested these out for the past couple weeks, I have to say that I have enjoyed wearing them. I’ve heard people say that they are an easy product because of the precision tip and that you can just chuck in your handbag but I’d say the same goes for any nude lipstick (for me anyway). These are larger than your average lipstick so will take up a bit more room so if you’re carrying a smaller purse/bag around with you, this might not be your first option. They are on the pricier side at $32 (US), £26 (UK), $46 (AUS) but it is an Hourglass product after all so what do you expect?

Is the Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo something you need to add to your shopping cart though? If you’re an Hourglass fan then yes, or if this is something that is lacking in your lipstick wardrobe, then also yes. Maybe even if you like this style of twist-up, precision tip packaging, particularly if it works for you, then yeah why not. However, there are lots of hydrating lipstick formulas on the market now with great colour payoff so this isn’t something that original. Having said that, I don’t regret picking them up at all and actually I really like their selection of nudes. Not every brand can get nudes right particularly for my warm, medium, NC30 -ish skin tone.